Afghanistan, Sept. 18 -- Iran has thanked Russia and China for vetoing a U.S.-backed resolution at the United Nations Security Council that sought to extend independent monitoring of international sanctions on Tehran, calling their move a defense of the UN Charter and opposition to what it described as politically motivated pressure.
Iran's mission to the United Nations said on Thursday it appreciated the "principled and decisive positions" taken by Moscow and Beijing after both countries blocked the U.S. draft resolution during a Security Council vote. Tehran said the veto prevented Washington and its allies from using the council to advance political objectives.
The resolution aimed to renew the mandate of a UN Panel of Experts responsi...